Coupeville Arts and Crafts Festival is this weekend

By Maria Matson • August 6, 2019 1:30 am
Coupeville resident and fused glass artist Janine Onffroy Shelley will be showing her glass lampshades and lamps at the festival. Shelley said she loves the Coupeville show because it demonstrates “the high quality and variety of art we have on this island.” (Photo provided)
Coupeville resident and fused glass artist Janine Onffroy Shelley will be showing her glass lampshades and lamps at the festival. Shelley said she loves the Coupeville show because it demonstrates “the high quality and variety of art we have on this island.” (Photo provided)

It’s going to be a big weekend for the art community and art-appreciative at the annual Coupeville Arts and Crafts festival. This year’s festival will run 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 11.

Those in need of home decor, new paintings, hand crafted pottery or colorful jewelry need look no further. Over 180 artists and vendors will line the Coupeville historic waterfront, selling artisan treasures of all types.

Attendees can also enjoy the wine and beer garden, crafty activities for all ages, live music or pick up lunch from any of 10 food vendors. The musical lineup starts at noon both days and will feature musicians playing blues, jazz and guitar. Children’s activities include a “color your own T-shirt” space and “creation station.”

The festival, now in its 55th year, typically sees between 15,000 and 18,000 visitors descend for the two-day span.

“It’s a great opportunity for artists of the island to show their work,” Gaylen Whiteman of Freeland said of the festival and juried art gallery. She’s attended the festival for eight or nine years, and said she enjoys the chance to speak with other island artists.

The Pacific Northwest Art School organizes a juried art gallery each year, featuring pottery, paintings, sculptures, jewelry, glass art and more. The reception will be open 7 p.m. at the Coupeville Rec Hall Friday, Aug. 9, and be open during the festival. Tickets can be bought in advance at the Pacific Northwest Art Center, Garry Oak Gallery or Penn Cove Gallery. Gallery viewers can vote on their favorite piece of art for the “People’s Choice” winner.

“It becomes a big party for the arts on Friday,” Whiteman said. Three of her art pieces that don’t get sold at a WICA Artists of South Whidbey art show will be showcasing at the Coupeville juried art gallery.

The event takes over 200 volunteers to put together and brings in hundreds of thousands of dollars from artist and vendor booths. Proceeds are used by the Coupeville Festival Association on grants, scholarships and nonprofits in the Coupeville. Last year, they association announced they’d reached the million dollar mark raised for the show’s history.

“I love (the festival) because it’s colorful, has a fun atmosphere, so many talented vendors and, of course, it is a Coupeville tradition,” Coupeville Chamber Executive Director Lynda Eccles said in an email. “Visitors can also enjoy our historic town, take a stroll down the wharf for a coffee or lunch, check out the schooner Suva or enjoy lunch in one of our restaurants in town and enjoy our unique shops.”

Gaylen Whiteman of Freeland will be showing three works of art at the juried art gallery, if they don’t sell before then the Artists of South Whidbey show. Here, she holds a painting that is part of her Essence of Nature series, devoted to animal conservation efforts with emphasis on the impact of climate change. She donates 10 percent of her proceeds to conversation organizations. (Photo by Maria Matson/Whidbey News Group)

Gaylen Whiteman of Freeland will be showing three works of art at the juried art gallery, if they don’t sell before then the Artists of South Whidbey show. Here, she holds a painting that is part of her Essence of Nature series, devoted to animal conservation efforts with emphasis on the impact of climate change. She donates 10 percent of her proceeds to conversation organizations. (Photo by Maria Matson/Whidbey News Group)

(File photo)

(File photo)